A UK gay marriage law approved earlier
this year will take effect on Saturday, March 29 in England and
Wales, the British government announced Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
applauded the news in a tweet to his more than 142,000 followers:
“Great news that same sex weddings will happen from 29th
March 2014.”
Equalities Minister Maria Miller said
that after the law's start marriage “will be open to everyone,
irrespective of whether they fall in love with someone of the same
sex or opposite sex.”
“This is just another step in the
evolution of marriage and I know that many couples up and down the
country will be hugely excited that they can now plan for their big
day and demonstrate their love and commitment to each other by
getting married,” she added.
Gay and lesbian couples in civil
partnerships, available since 2005, will be able to convert their
unions to marriage by the end of next year, Miller said.
(Related: Gay
marriage bill clears major hurdle in Scotland.)